About this time I’d like to see the Colorado Avalanche pick another defenseman to keep that prospect pool deep. Gianni Fairbrother is a player who will need some developing, but he’s already making good strides. In the 2017-18 season he had 5 points (2 gals 3 assists) with the WHL Everett Silvertips. Last season he jumped to 36 points (10 goals, 26 assists).
Fairbrother isn’t a big defenseman– 6-foot, 194 pounds. However, he missed the cutoff for last year’s draft by 15 days, so he’s just a little bit older and more mature.
According to the WHL draft profile, Fairbrother is a hard worker who’s shown especial improvement in his play with the puck.
He’s ranked #50 by Central Scouting as is expected to go right around Colorado’s #78 selection. I think he could continue developing at major juniors a couple more years and ultimately be a depth defenseman for Colorado.